Hawaii Police Arrest Four Officers After Racial Harassment Allegations

Four Hawaii Department of Law Enforcement officers have been arrested over the past nine days as part of an investigation into alleged incidents of racial harassment.

William Gary, 46, was arrested Thursday for alleged harassment and later released pending further investigation, KITV reports.

The arrest of Gary, who worked in the agency's airport division, follows the arrest Wednesday of Deputy Sheriff William K Keahi, 40, on allegations of reckless endangerment and harassment.

Keahi also worked in the airport division and allegedly ordered a black officer to rush into airport traffic and make a dangerous stop at Daniel K Inouye Airport, sources told Hawaii Civil Beat.

Two other people were also recently arrested in connection with the investigation, including Sgt. Eric Mitamura, 40, and Alvin Turla, 47, members of the Capitol's Central Division.

They were arrested after allegedly making racist remarks over fried chicken to a black deputy sheriff during a training exercise, Hawaii News Now reports.

“This has apparently been going on for months, but it didn't come to our attention until the end of May,” Jordan Lowe, director of the Department of Law Enforcement, told the station Thursday.

“This type of behavior will not be tolerated. When we see that we are in 2024, it is somewhat discouraging,” he added.

At least three of the arrested men have been released pending further investigation and placed on administrative leave.

They have not been convicted of any crime and have not appeared in court.

According to Lowe, five other officers are on leave in connection with an unrelated criminal and administrative matter.